October 10, 2023 |
Photo – Rawlins City Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo
The Rawlins city council debated about the best use for this year’s Wyoming Community Gas grant.
Every year, Wyoming Community Gas returns a portion of its profits to enrolled municipalities. The money is to be used to better the lives of residents of the various towns. In the past, Rawlins has used the grant to fund the creation of the city’s dog park. Last year, the city used the money to pay for improvements to its baseball fields.
During the October 3rd city council meeting, Parks and Recreation Director Jason Sehon said he used last year’s $10,300 Wyoming Community Gas grant as a match for a larger grant. Sehon said last year’s grant money, combined with his department’s budget, will be used to improve the American Legion Generals baseball field later this month.
Sehon said he wanted this year’s entire Wyoming Community Gas grant to go to the city’s four VFW baseball fields. Sehon said the money will be used to make the fields ready for state-wide Little League tournaments in 2026.
Councilwoman Jacquelin Wells said she supported Sehon’s idea to use the entire $11,322.90 grant on the city’s baseball fields. Wells said the money will help ensure the fields are ready for tournament play within three years.
Councilman Chris Weisenburg said he would rather use the money on a new scoreboard for the Generals baseball sports complex. Councilman Weisenburg said the current scoreboard is old and broken.
Councilman Weisenburg said a working scoreboard could help the Rawlins Generals baseball team attract regional tournament games. Sehon acknowledged that the scoreboard needs work. However, the parks and rec director said the support buildings at the VFW baseball fields are in a greater state of disrepair.
Vice Mayor Steve Sanger asked Sehon if a scoreboard will attract more out-of-town players than improved grass on the ball fields. Vice Mayor Sanger asked if players will be more inclined to visit the city before 2026 if the sports complex receives a new scoreboard.
Sehon said the VFW Little League baseball fields must be improved before the state-wide tournament can occur in 2026. The parks and rec director said the field will cost $18,000 to fix. Sehon said an updated scoreboard will likely cost substantially more.
Sehon said the Wyoming Community Gas grant will be used to secure a larger outside grant to pay for the field improvements. The parks and rec director said he wants to use the entire $11,322.90 grant on the VFW fields. Sehon said the Little League association has promised to hold the Wyoming state finals in Rawlins within three years. Sehon said the American Legion baseball organization has not made a similar promise.
Sehon said he wants the VFW baseball fields to be completed before 2026. That way, Sehon said the city can focus on the Generals fields knowing the Little League fields are ready to go. The parks and rec director explained how the Little League tournament will bring a lot of money into the city.
Councilman Darril Garner asked if the Wyoming Community Gas grant would be better used to automate the sprinkler system at the Rawlins Cemetery. Councilman Garner said automating the sprinkler system will save a lot of time for city employees. Sehon said hooking all 52 sprinklers up to a new system will likely cost upwards of $40,000. The parks and rec director said he is planning to use his department’s budget to pay for the sprinkler upgrade in the future.
The council discussed more suggestions for how to use the Wyoming Community Gas grant. Councilman Weisenburg asked if the money could be used to enclose the batting cages at the city’s sports complex.
Mayor Terry Weickum said he wants the money to be used to improve Bolton Park. Mayor Weickum said the park is used by travelers and he wants them to have a good impression of the city.
In the end, Mayor Weickum said the council doesn’t need to decide yet. The mayor asked Sehon to investigate the cost of the various projects suggested during the meeting and return with more information. Mayor Weickum said he wants to ensure the money is used in the best possible way for the city and Wyoming Community Gas.
Sehon said he will ask other department heads for their suggestions on how best to use this year’s Wyoming Community Gas grant and bring the information to a future city council meeting.
